Christopher Payne, Fentanyl Trafficking, Ohio 2023

Thirty-one individuals involved in a drug trafficking organization in Marion County and Lorain County, Ohio, were indicted for their roles in distributing fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

According to the indictments, between as early as on or about September 1, 2020, and continuing through on or about June 14, 2023, the defendants did knowingly and intentionally conspire with each other to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine base (“crack”), oxycodone, and methamphetamine.

The co-conspirators obtained fentanyl, cocaine, cocaine-base (“crack”), oxycodone, and methamphetamine from suppliers in Columbus, Ohio; Lorain, Ohio; and Marion, Ohio.

Twenty-one individuals were arrested during an early morning operation and transported to federal court in Cleveland.

United States Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko stated, “Yesterday’s arrests and announced indictments will give the community of Marion, Ohio, some relief from the opioid epidemic that has been a persistent scourge in our District.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen said, “The coordination of these arrests was highly complex and underscores the collaborative effort of the FBI, together with our partners in federal, state, and local law enforcement.”

The defendants are charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute and distribution of controlled substances, distribution of a controlled substance, possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances, and use of a communications facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense.

The 14 individuals listed below were charged in one indictment:

Christopher Payne, 24, Marion, OH; Michael Worthington, G., 28, Marion, OH; Dave Davis, 43, Marion, OH; Matthew Taylor, 28, Marion, OH; Tyler Landrum, 26, Marion, OH; Dalton Gruber, 42, Marion, OH; Donovan Caskey, 28, Marion, OH; Crystal Rivers, 42, Green Camp, OH; Gerald Houseworth, 31, Marion, OH; Sheena Stolz, 34, Upper Sandusky, OH; Anthony Clark, 53, Marion, OH; Christina Weaver, 25, Marion, OH; Steven Mollet, 27, Marion, OH; Starla Artressia, 26, Marion, OH;

The 18 individuals listed below were charged in a separate indictment:

Justin Stanley, 35, Marion, OH; Freddie Sanchez, 36, Lorain, OH; Christopher Payne, 24, Marion, OH; Dustin Russell, 32, Marion, OH; Walter Thomas, 41, Marion, OH; Austin Hogan, 29, Marion, OH; Kyle Rentschler, 26, Prospect, OH; Donna Wrick, 31, Marion, OH; Lawrence Dempster, 49, Marion, OH; Ryan Pheasant, 30, Marion, OH; Michael Cottrill, Jr., 22, Marion, OH; Casey Taylor, 47, Marion, OH; Derek Hesson, 29, Marion, OH; Jacob Martin, 28, Marion, OH; James Holsinger, Jr., 29, Marion, OH; Jason Smith, 47, Marion, OH; Jeffery Hall, 31, Marion, OH; and Dustin Freeman, 36, Marion, OH.

The defendants are awaiting trial and sentencing.

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